Receiver assembly

Abstract

A receiver assembly including a receiver and an assembly housing. The receiver includes a sound outlet configured to outlet sound from the receiver. Furthermore, the receiver includes at least a first and a second outer surface and is arranged at least partly within the assembly housing. The assembly housing includes an assembly sound outlet arranged in communication with the sound outlet for outlet of sound from the receiver via the assembly outlet. The receiver assembly further includes a suspension structure having at least one suspension element, the suspension structure suspending the receiver in the assembly housing. The suspension element connects the receiver and the assembly housing, and the suspension element is formed by a sheet material and is an elongated element extending in an longitudinal direction and is configured to dampen vibration of the receiver by deflection of the suspension element in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. A receiver assembly comprising a receiver and an assembly housing; the receiver comprising a sound outlet configured to outlet sound from the receiver and at least a first and a second outer surface and being arranged at least partly within the assembly housing, the assembly housing comprising an assembly sound outlet arranged in communication with the sound outlet for outlet of sound from the receiver via the assembly outlet, the receiver assembly further comprising a suspension structure comprising at least one suspension element, the suspension structure suspending the receiver in the assembly housing, wherein the at least one suspension element connects the receiver and the assembly housing, the at least one suspension element being formed by a sheet material and being an elongated element extending in an longitudinal direction and being configured to dampen vibration of the receiver by deflection of the suspension element in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, the receiver assembly further comprising a shock protection element arranged in the assembly housing, the shock protection element having a higher compliance than the suspension element.

2. A receiver assembly according to claim 1, wherein the suspension structure forms a bent section whereby a first suspension element is arranged between the first outer surface and an inner surface of the assembly housing and a second suspension element is arranged between the second outer surface and an inner surface of the assembly housing, the first and second suspension elements extending in different directions from the bent part.

3. A receiver assembly according to claim 2, wherein the suspension structure forms a second bent section so that a third suspension element is arranged between a third outer surface of the receiver and an inner surface of the assembly housing.

4. A receiver assembly according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the elongated element is non-uniform along at least a part of elongated element in the longitudinal direction.

5. A receiver assembly according claim 1, further comprising a deformable element arranged between the suspension element and the receiver whereby the suspension element contacts the receiver at least partly via the deformable element.

6. A receiver assembly according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is formed on the first outer surface or the second outer surface, and wherein the suspension element contacts the receiver at least partly at the protrusion.

7. A receiver assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration dampening element connecting the sound outlet and the assembly sound outlet.

8. A receiver assembly according to claim 7, wherein the vibration dampening element seals a passage between an outer surface of one sound outlet and the assembly sound outlet and an inner surface of the other one of the sound outlet and the assembly sound outlet.

9. A receiver assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a compressible dampening element arranged between an outer surface of the receiver and an inner surface of the assembly housing, and wherein the compressible element comprises a substantially flat base element having a plurality of deformable protrusions extending toward at least one of an outer surface of the receiver and an inner surface of the assembly housing.

10. A receiver assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-tensioned element suspended between an outer surface of the receiver and an inner surface of the assembly housing.

11. A receiver assembly according to claim 1, wherein the suspension elements forms at least a first and a second chamber in the assembly housing, the receiver assembly further comprising a vent arranged in communication with the first and second chamber.

12. A receiver assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the suspension elements is electrically conductive and arranged between an electrical connector of the receiver and an electrical connector of the assembly housing.

13. A personal audio device comprising a receiver assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to generate sound whereby it vibrates within a frequency range of 10 Hz-20 kHz, and wherein the at least one suspension element is configured to deflect to thereby dampen vibration of the receiver.

14. A receiver assembly according to claim 2, wherein a cross-section of the elongated element is non-uniform along at least a part of elongated element in the longitudinal direction.

15. A receiver assembly according to claim 3, wherein a cross-section of the elongated element is non-uniform along at least a part of elongated element in the longitudinal direction.

16. A receiver assembly according claim 2, further comprising a deformable element arranged between the suspension element and the receiver whereby the suspension element contacts the receiver at least partly via the deformable element.

17. A receiver assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a vibration dampening element connecting the sound outlet and the assembly sound outlet.

18. A receiver assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a compressible dampening element arranged between an outer surface of the receiver and an inner surface of the assembly housing.

19. A receiver assembly comprising a receiver and an assembly housing; the receiver comprising a sound outlet configured to outlet sound from the receiver and at least a first and a second outer surface and being arranged at least partly within the assembly housing, the assembly housing comprising an assembly sound outlet arranged in communication with the sound outlet for outlet of sound from the receiver via the assembly outlet, the receiver assembly further comprising a suspension structure comprising at least one suspension element, the suspension structure suspending the receiver in the assembly housing, wherein a protrusion is formed on the first outer surface or the second outer surface, and wherein the suspension element contacts the receiver at least partly at the protrusion.

20. A receiver assembly comprising a receiver and an assembly housing; the receiver comprising a sound outlet configured to outlet sound from the receiver and at least a first and a second outer surface and being arranged at least partly within the assembly housing, the assembly housing comprising an assembly sound outlet arranged in communication with the sound outlet for outlet of sound from the receiver via the assembly outlet, the receiver assembly further comprising a suspension structure comprising at least one suspension element, the suspension structure suspending the receiver in the assembly housing, wherein the suspension elements forms at least a first and a second chamber in the assembly housing, the receiver assembly further comprising a vent arranged in communication with the first and second chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a receiver assembly,

(3) FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate different ways of contact between a suspension element and a receiver,

(4) FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate different embodiments of a receiver assembly,

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a receiver assembly,

(6) FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate different views of an embodiment of a receiver assembly,

(7) FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate different details of an embodiment of a receiver assembly,

(8) FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate different embodiments of a receiver assembly,

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a receiver assembly,

(10) FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate different embodiments of a receiver assembly,

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a receiver assembly, and

(12) FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate details of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(13) It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

(14) FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a receiver assembly 1 in an exploded view. The illustration to the left is an upside-down view of the illustration in the middle. Furthermore, it is rotated 180 degrees.

(15) The receiver assembly 1 comprises a receiver 2 and an assembly housing 3. The assembly housing 3 is formed by an upper section 3A and a lower section 3B.

(16) The receiver 2 comprises a magnet assembly 4 (see FIG. 5D), an armature 5 (see FIG. 5D), a diaphragm 6 (see FIG. 5D) being operationally attached to the armature, and a sound outlet 7 configured to outlet sound from the receiver 2. It should be understood, that other types of receivers are equally applicable for the invention.

(17) The receiver 2 comprises an outer surface 8; i.e. at least a first 8A, a second outer surface 8B, and a third outer surface 8C. The receiver 8 is arranged at least partly within the assembly housing 3.

(18) The assembly housing 3 comprises an assembly sound outlet 9 (see e.g. FIG. 3 and FIG. 5A) arranged in communication with the sound outlet 7 for outlet of sound from the receiver 2 via the assembly outlet 9.

(19) The receiver assembly 1 further comprises two suspension structures 10 each comprising three suspension elements 10A, 10B, 10C. The suspension structures 10 suspend the receiver 2 in the assembly housing 3. Each suspension element 10 connects the receiver 2 and the assembly housing 3.

(20) Each suspension element 10 is an elongated element extending in a longitudinal direction and is configured to dampen vibration of the receiver 2 by deflection of the suspension element 10 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

(21) As illustrated, the elongated suspension element 10 may comprise additional elements transverse to the elongated part.

(22) In the illustrated embodiment, the suspension structure 10 forms two bent sections 11 whereby a first suspension element 10A is arranged between the first outer surface 8A and an inner surface of the assembly housing 3, a second suspension element 8B is arranged between the second outer surface 8B and an inner surface of the assembly housing, and third the suspension element 10C is arranged between a third outer surface 8C and an inner surface of the assembly housing 3. The first 10A and second 10B suspension elements extend in different directions from the bent part 11A, whereas the second 10B and third 10C suspension elements extend in different directions from the bent part 11B.

(23) The illustrated suspension structure 10 thereby forms a 3D structure enabling dampening of vibration in three different directions relative to the receiver 2.

(24) The receiver assembly 1 further comprises shock protection elements 12 arranged in the assembly housing 3, as this may protect the receiver 2 from impact from the assembly housing 3, e.g. if the receiver assembly 1 is dropped. The shock protection element 12 is made of a soft material, such as a foam.

(25) FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate different ways of contact between a suspension element 10 and a receiver 2. In FIG. 2A, a protrusion 13 is formed on the outer surface 8 of the receiver 2. The suspension element 10 contacts the receiver 2 at the protrusion 13.

(26) In FIG. 2B, the suspension element 10 comprises two bent sections 14A, 14B to fix the suspension element 10 between the outer surface 8 of the receiver 2 and an inner surface of the assembly housing (not shown).

(27) In FIG. 2C, a protrusion 13 is formed on the outer surface 8 of the receiver 2. The suspension element 10 contacts the receiver 2 at the protrusion 13. In FIG. 2C, the protrusion 13 is formed as a separate element connected to the outer surface 8, whereas the protrusion 13 of FIG. 2A forms part of the outer surface 8.

(28) In FIG. 2D, the suspension element 10 comprises an indentation 14C to fix the suspension element 10 between the outer surface 8 of the receiver 2 and an inner surface of the assembly housing (not shown).

(29) FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate different embodiments of a receiver assembly 101, 101 comprising a receiver 102, 102 and an assembly housing 103.

(30) The receiver assembly 101 further comprises two suspension structures 110, 110. The suspension structures 110, 110 suspend the receiver 102, 102 in the assembly housing 103.

(31) As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the elongated suspension element 110 may comprise additional elements transverse to the elongated part.

(32) The illustrated suspension structure 110, 110 forms a 1D structure enabling dampening of vibration in one direction relative to the receiver 102, 102.

(33) The receiver assembly 101 comprises a vibration dampening element 115 connecting the sound outlet 107 and the assembly sound outlet 109. The vibration dampening element 115 is compliant to enable reduction of vibrations.

(34) In the illustrated embodiment, the vibration dampening element 115 forms a sound channel from the sound outlet 107 to the assembly sound outlet. The vibration dampening element 115 is attached to the receiver 202 and to the assembly housing 203.

(35) FIG. 4 illustrates parts of an embodiment of a receiver assembly 201 comprising a receiver 202 and an assembly housing (not shown).

(36) The receiver assembly 201 further comprises four suspension structures 210. The suspension structures 210 suspend the receiver 202 in the assembly housing (not shown).

(37) The suspension structures 210 each forms two bent sections 211 whereby a first suspension element 210A is arranged between the first outer surface 208A and an inner surface of the assembly housing, and a second suspension element 208B is arranged between the second outer surface 208B and an inner surface of the assembly housing.

(38) The illustrated suspension structures 210 thereby each forms a 2D structure enabling dampening of vibration in two directions relative to the receiver 202.

(39) FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate different views of the embodiment of a receiver assembly 1 also illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 5A, the two sections 3A, 3B of the assembly housing 3 are closed around the receiver 2 and the suspension structure 10.

(40) In FIG. 5B the lower section 3B of the assembly housing has been removed to get a better view of the receiver 2, the suspension structure 10, and the shock protection element 12. In FIG. 5C, both the upper and lower section 3A, 3B of the assembly housing has been removed.

(41) FIG. 5D illustrates a cross-section through the receiver 2. The receiver 2 comprises a magnet assembly 4, an armature 5, a diaphragm 6 being operationally attached to the armature, and a sound outlet 7 configured to outlet sound from the receiver 2.

(42) The receiver assembly 1 comprises a vibration dampening element 15 connecting the sound outlet 7 and the assembly sound outlet 9. The vibration dampening element 15 is compliant to enable reduction of vibrations.

(43) In the illustrated embodiment, the vibration dampening element 15 forms a sound channel from the sound outlet 7 to the assembly sound outlet. The vibration dampening element 15 is attached to the receiver 2 and to the assembly housing 3.

(44) FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate different details of an embodiment of a receiver assembly 301. The receiver assembly 301 comprises a receiver 302 and an assembly housing 303.

(45) The receiver 302 comprises a magnet assembly (not shown), an armature (not shown), a diaphragm 306 being operationally attached to the armature, and a sound outlet 307 configured to outlet sound from the receiver 302.

(46) The assembly housing 303 comprises an assembly sound outlet 309 arranged in communication with the sound outlet 307 for outlet of sound from the receiver 302 via the assembly outlet 309.

(47) The receiver assembly 301 comprises a vibration dampening element 315 connecting the sound outlet 307 and the assembly sound outlet 309. The vibration dampening element 315 is compliant to enable reduction of vibrations.

(48) In the illustrated embodiment, the vibration dampening element 315 forms a sound channel from the sound outlet 307 to the assembly sound outlet. The vibration dampening element 315 is attached to the receiver 302 and to the assembly housing 303.

(49) The receiver 302 comprises an outer surface 308. The receiver assembly 302 further comprises two compressible dampening elements 316 arranged between the outer surface 308 of the receiver 302 and an inner surface of the assembly housing 303 to dampen vibration of the receiver. It should be understood, that the compressible dampening elements 316 can be used in combination with a suspension structure as illustrated e.g. in FIG. 1.

(50) The compressible dampening element 316 comprises a substantially flat base element 317 having a plurality of deformable protrusions 318 extending toward the inner surface of the assembly housing 302 and being in contact herewith.

(51) The compressible dampening 316 element may further act as shock protection as illustrated by the embodiment of FIG. 6C. This is achieved by providing some of the protrusions 318 of a smaller height whereby there is no contact between the smaller protrusions 318 and the inner surface of the assembly housing 308. To improve the shock protecting effect, these smaller protrusions 318 are filled with a dampening material 319, such as a dampening gel or a foam.

(52) FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate different embodiments of a receiver assembly 401, 410. The receiver assembly 401, 401 comprises a receiver 402 and an assembly housing 403.

(53) In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver assembly 401, 401 comprises a pre-tensioned element 410, 410 suspended between an outer surface of the receiver 402 and an inner surface of the assembly housing 403. When using a pre-tensioned suspension element 410, 410, the receiver 402 can be compliantly suspended. Furthermore, as the pre-tensioned element 410, 410 is substantially flat, it thereby only takes up little space in the assembly housing 302.

(54) FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a receiver assembly 501. The receiver assembly 501 comprises a receiver 502 and an assembly housing 503.

(55) The receiver 502 comprises a magnet assembly (not shown), an armature (not shown), a diaphragm 506 being operationally attached to the armature, and a sound outlet 507 configured to outlet sound from the receiver 502.

(56) The assembly housing 503 comprises an assembly sound outlet 509 arranged in communication with the sound outlet 507 for outlet of sound from the receiver 502 via the assembly outlet 509.

(57) The receiver assembly 501 comprises a vibration dampening element 515 connecting the sound outlet 507 and the assembly sound outlet 509. The vibration dampening element 515 is compliant to enable reduction of vibrations.

(58) In the illustrated embodiment, the vibration dampening element 515 forms a sound channel from the sound outlet 507 to the assembly sound outlet. The vibration dampening element 515 is attached to the receiver 502 and to the assembly housing 503.

(59) The vibration dampening element 515 comprises a through hole allowing sound to propagate through the vibration dampening element.

(60) Additionally, three suspension elements 515 are arranged in the assembly housing 503 and connect the receiver 502 and the assembly housing 503. The suspension elements 515 are similar to the vibration dampening element 515, however without a through hole. Due to the compliance of the suspension element 515, the receiver 502 is movable suspended in the assembly housing 503. It should be understood, that the suspension elements 515 can be used in combination with a suspension structure as illustrated e.g. in FIG. 1.

(61) The suspension elements 515 are arranged so that they form a first and a second chamber 521, 522 in the assembly housing 503, as the suspension elements 515 contact both the inner surface of the assembly housing 503 and the outer surface of the receiver 502. To decrease the vibration peaks, the receiver assembly 501 further comprises three vents 520, each being arranged in communication with a first and a second chamber 521, 522.

(62) FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate different embodiments of a receiver assembly 601. The receiver assembly 601 comprises a receiver 602 and an assembly housing 603.

(63) The receiver 602 illustrated is movably suspended in the assembly housing 603 by a suspension structure 610, 610.

(64) The suspension structure 610 schematically illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B may be identical to the suspension structure 10 illustrated in FIG. 1.

(65) The suspension elements 610 are electrically conductive and are arranged between an electrical connector 623 of the receiver 602 and an electrical connector 624 of the assembly housing 603. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrically conductive suspension elements 610 are flex prints thereby enabling both mechanical and electrical connection between the receiver 602 and the assembly housing 603.

(66) In FIG. 9A, the receiver 602A is suspended by a non-conductive suspension structure 610 and a conductive suspension structure 610 which electrically connects the receiver 602A to the assembly housing 603.

(67) In FIG. 9B, the receiver 602B is suspended by a non-conductive suspension structure 610 and a conductive suspension structure 610. The conductive suspension structure 610 is electrically connected to the assembly housing 603 by traditional wires 625.

(68) In FIG. 9C, the receiver 602C is suspended by a conductive suspension structure 610 which electrically connects the receiver 602C to the assembly housing 603.

(69) In FIG. 9D, the receiver 602D is suspended by two non-conductive suspension structure 610 and two conductive suspension structure 610 which electrically connects the receiver 602D to the assembly housing 603.

(70) The receiver assembly 601A, 601B, 601C, 601D comprises a vibration dampening element 615 connecting the sound outlet 607 and the assembly sound outlet 609. The vibration dampening element 615 is compliant to enable reduction of vibrations. In the illustrated embodiment, the vibration dampening element 615 forms a sound channel from the sound outlet 607 to the assembly sound outlet.

(71) FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a receiver assembly 1 similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5. FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate details of the suspension structure 10.

(72) The receiver assembly 1 comprises a receiver 2 and an assembly housing 3. The assembly housing 3 is formed by an upper section 3A and a lower section 3B.

(73) The receiver 2 comprises an outer surface 8; i.e. at least a first 8A, a second outer surface 8B, and a third outer surface 8C. The receiver 8 is arranged at least partly within the assembly housing 3.

(74) The assembly housing 3 comprises an assembly sound outlet 9 arranged in communication with the sound outlet (not shown) for outlet of sound from the receiver 2 via the assembly outlet 9.

(75) The receiver assembly 1 further comprises a suspension structure 10 comprising suspension elements 10A, 10B, 10C. The suspension structure 10 suspends the receiver 2 in the assembly housing 3.

(76) Each suspension element 10 is an elongated element extending in a longitudinal direction and is configured to dampen vibration of the receiver 2 by deflection of the suspension element 10 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

(77) As illustrated, the elongated suspension element 10 may comprise additional elements transverse to the elongated part.

(78) In the illustrated embodiment, the suspension structure 10 forms four bent sections 11 whereby a first suspension element 10A is arranged between the first outer surface 8A and an inner surface of the assembly housing 3, a second suspension element 10B is arranged between the second outer surface 8B and an inner surface of the assembly housing, and third the suspension element 10C is arranged between a third outer surface 8C and an inner surface of the assembly housing 3. The first 10A and second 10B suspension elements extend in different directions from the bent part 11A, whereas the first 10A and third 10C suspension elements extend in different directions from the bent part 11B.

(79) The illustrated suspension structure 10 thereby forms a 3D structure having a trapezoidal shape enabling dampening of vibration in three different directions relative to the receiver 2. Due to the trapezoidal shape of the suspension structure, see FIG. 11A, vibrations can be isolated in the Z direction.

(80) The first suspension element 10A is arranged between the first outer surface 8A and an inner surface of the assembly housing 3. As illustrated in FIG. 11B, an identical suspension element 10A is arranged at the opposite side of the receiver 2. The suspension elements 10A are arranged in contact with the outer surface of the receiver 2 at the upper end point (see FIG. 11B) and in contact the an inner surface of the assembly housing 3 at the other end point; i.e. at the bent section 11A. Thus, the distance from the suspension element 10A to the receiver 2 varies along length of the suspension element.

(81) As illustrated in FIG. 11A and 11C, the first suspension element 10A comprises a two substantially identical set of wave-shaped elements. By providing this dual system twisting of the suspension structure 10 around the Y axis may be avoided or at least considerably decreased.

(82) The second suspension element 10B is arranged between the second outer surface 8B and an inner surface of the assembly housing 3. In the illustrated embodiment, this part of the suspension structure is substantially parallel to the bottom of the receiver 2 and in contact with the lower inner surface of the assembly housing.

(83) The third suspension element 10C is arranged between a third outer surface 8C and an inner surface of the assembly housing 3. In the illustrated embodiment, this part of the suspension structure is substantially parallel to the upper surface 8C of the receiver 2 and in contact with this upper surface.

(84) By providing the suspension structure 10 so that the third suspension element 10C is in contact with the upper surface 8C and so that the second suspension element 10B is in contact with the opposite lower inner surface of the assembly housing 3, the suspension structure 10 is self-supporting and works in all directions. I.e. the suspension structure 10 will be able to dampen vibrations independent of the direction of gravity and can thus be turned upside down without affecting the dampening possibilities hereof.